Bass Strikes Are Hard To Locate

Anglers have been struggling to locate fish strikes, especially the bass variety.

It doesn't matter if you're in a deeper clear lake or a shallow murky lake, the results seem to be the same - two or three bass under three pounds and if you're lucky and fish more than three of four times a week. You might boat a five-pounder per week, maybe.

This is what happens when an extreme cold front and the spawning season arrive at the same time. Everything slows down to a halt; spawning bass feed very little if at all when on bed and water temperatures in the middle 50s really shuts down their metabolisms. When they are in pre-spawn and post-spawn, bass feed heavy in preparation and recovery, respectively - if the water temperatures are in the middle 60s, which is not the case right now. So, add all these facts up and you have today's fishing forecast basis.

Today we are two days past the new moon and in the fifth day since the cold front. Water temperatures have returned to the low sixties which is ideal for bass and all fish to feed energetically. Factor into this normal feeding environment, the additional fact that above normal appetites have been on hold for almost a week, and you end up with an overly aggressive feeding migration in all the hot-spots on the lake.

There are two peak periods today. Both happen from 1 to 3 a.m. and p.m. There is also the usual morning-bite which could very well be the best bite session of the day because of the cloud cover on Monday and Tuesday nights - which keeps nighttime temperatures up.

The morning-bite occurs from 6-9 am and the peak should occur near safe-light to 7:30 a.m..

Tomorrow the afternoon and nighttime bites should increase and the morning session diminish slightly. Friday, however, there is a minor cold front predicted to move through our area, so expect Saturday's bite to slow down slightly.

Another thing to remember for this time of year is that tournament anglers apply heavy fishing pressure on most of the popular lakes during the weekends. This is a major factor in why Mondays and Tuesdays usually are not good fishing days - bass are in "recovery" after riding around in a live-well all day, enduring a weigh-in, photo-shoot, and a live-release into an area of the lake which they are not familiar with.

This is why for the past four years Wednesday and Thursday have provided almost 70 percent of my best days on the water. So if you are lucky enough to get out on your favorite lake today and tomorrow, your chances are as "good as it gets," considering the cards we've been dealt.

Fishing Facts

Florida's winter-peak feeding-migrations happen during a warm front which, is the opposite of Florida summers.

Fishing Formula

Match the retrieve and action with the water temperature.

Below 60, pauses should be longer periods than retrieve action (two- to five-minute pauses and 15-second extremely slow retrieve). Sixty to 65 pauses should be almost equal to retrieves in time (30-second pauses and 30-second slow retrieve). Above 65, use a slow retrieve with an occasional rattle and pop of the rod-tip, followed by a 10 second pause, and repeat.

Fishing Flash

Lake Istokpoga's level is currently at 39.4 feet above sea level, which is one inch below the maximum high level allowed. Because of the low residential lake communities, a lake level above 39.5 feet causes a great deal of damage and hardship, especially during high winds and other extreme weather.

It should also be noted that the hydrilla growth on the lake is at a minimal rate and has not expanded enough to be a concern. The higher water level combined with the cold weather and high winds, work together to keep in check and/or retard the growth of the existing hydrilla sections. In fact a dying-back has actually reduced the total acres.

This is great news for all anglers, for this means no chemical treatments during the peak season, which means regular seasonal and daily fish migrations, will naturally occur, enabling angler's success. With the decline in the economy, financial hardship has forced many anglers to park their boats. For those of us who rely on anglers for a paycheck, the last thing that is needed is to have Highlands County's best lake sprayed with Aquathol Super K when total Hydrilla Acreage is well below 25 percent.

Lake Okeechobee's level is currently at 13.4 feet above sea level which is just a little over seven inches below the ideal level for the lake. This lake is recovering very well so far. Many anglers report that Florida's largest fishery is producing above expectations.

Let's hope that this year's spring and summer seasons are at the very least average as far as rainfall is concerned. The National Weather Service is not optimistic and predicts less than average rainfall. If the spring and summer are anything like this winter is turning out to be, we will remain in significant trouble as the drought of the past two years lingers on into its third year.

Lakes, Placid, Jackson, Lotella, and several of Highlands County's smaller lakes remain more than 30 inches below their normal levels. Lakes Josephine, June, Istokpoga, Glenada, Sebring, Clay, all have recovered nearly or completely to normal levels.

Fishing Tournaments

The Outback USA Crappie Tournament is open to the public and will be held monthly.

The second event will be in February - dates yet to be determined. Entry fee is $5 and anglers can fish any lake of their choice and weigh-in on any day at Outback USA at 14021 US-27 South.

Application can be picked up at Outback USA which is half way between South Sebring and Lake Placid. Store hours are from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day.

The Monday Morning Lake Jackson Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public and launches every Monday morning at 8 a.m. with weigh-in at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per boat with a "winner-take-all" payout. One person or two per boat, three legal (more than 14 inch) bass per boat, and one bass over 22 inches per angler. For information, call Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home) or 863-446-1310 (cell).

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is today on Lake Placid. Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee $30.00 per boat. One person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home) or 863-446-1310 (cell), email bassbutchie60@aol.com or call Dwight Ameling at 863-471-3305.